Fiona Wilson
The new soft sell
Which countries get their way without resorting to military might? We name the top 25 nations in the inaugural Monocle and Institute for Government Soft Power Survey.
Stored up
Monocle reports on Mitsukoshi department store’s updated look and innovative concepts.
From the same tree
Maruni Wood Industry, a family business, faced shifting fortunes for years. A reluctant family member returned to his roots, only to discover he was the natural saviour of the company his great uncle founded.
Fashion
The new preppy, a cycling jacket you'd be proud to be seen in, a menswear store in Hong Kong that's not in a mall, and Inventory magazine's shop.
Home at the office
Bosses are realising the benefits of a more humane workplace. This gives staff pride and belonging, and expresses a company’s ethos to clients. Welcome to the anti-office.
It’s arrived
It’s not just 30 minutes closer to central Tokyo than Narita. The new international terminal at Haneda Airport is also a unique retail concept.
Did they do well?
September marks a new political term in many countries, so we’ve compiled our report cards for 15 leaders. Who has gone to the top of the class and who should be doing extra homework?
Five urban escapes
Cities from Tokyo to Turin work because when you you really need to get away, they have rural, beach or mountain retreats on the doorstep. Here are five urbanite playgrounds.
Bay of plenty
Two new workplaces on the city’s waterfront, with cafés, gyms and roofdecks for lounging, show that new work styles are possible even in hardworking Japan.
Museum pieces
Museum culture has altered radically in recent years. Here we spotlight the most exciting venues and ask what makes an ideal 21st-century museum.
